Tourists willing to pay more for food, attractions

[nguyen to loan]

Foreign tourists to Vietnam are willing to pay more for local food, resorts, and interesting places that offer new cultural experiences, a recent survey by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has found.

Particularly, 69 per cent of the respondents say they would love to open their pocketbooks to enjoy the Vietnamese culinary diversity, while 65 per cent would do so to explore interesting tourism destinations. Meanwhile, 62 per cent say they will spend extra money to visit local resorts and experience the country’s different cultures. The survey, jointly conducted by the VNAT and the US-based financial services corporation Visa Inc, collected responses from 11,620 international tourists in 23 countries in Asia – Pacific, Europe, and America. Respondents to the survey are people aged 18 and over who have taken a foreign tour package in the last two years and intend to travel to foreign countries, including Vietnam, in the next two years. Respondents who have been to Vietnam say they were fascinated by the country’s unique cultures, as well as the wide variety of its culinary, beautiful natural landscapes, and outdoor activities, especially at nighttime. For those who have been to or are eying a tour to Vietnam, using online tourism guidance websites to search for information about the country is their top choice. While it is common for foreign tourists to choose 3- or 4-star hotel for accommodation, most wish to seek low-cost, or even free, accommodation in the country in the future. At a time when the world is experiencing many political and economic upheavals, Vietnam’s political stability appears to be a key factor in influencing foreign tourists’ decision on choosing Vietnam as the destination, the survey said.